Life-saving device



March 25 1924.

c. B. GREEN LIFE SAVING DEVICE abtozmq C. B. GREEN LIFE SAVING DEVICE Filed Mrch 12, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lIlYll'v Patented an. 25, 1924.

var sari.

CHAR-LES B. GREEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LIFESAVING DEVICE.

Application filed March 12, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES B. GREEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Life-Saving Device, of which the following isaspecification.

This invention relates to water wings, especially designed to facilitate teaching swimming and as a life saving'device that can be used similar to a life saving device ordinarily carried by large ocean going vessels.

The prime object of my invention is to provide a flexible collapsible water wing with novel means whereby it may be inflated and easily strapped to the body in the vicinity of the shoulders of the body so that the head of the user of the device will always remain above the surface of the water.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the above indicated character, which comprises a pair of wings posi tioned on each side of the body and adapted to be supported by shoulder straps and a cross brace adapted to be positioned behind the back of the user when the device is used as a life saving device to permit the body of the user to float along the top of the surface of the water.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a life saving device and means for teaching the art of swimming, which can be easily collapsed when not being used and stored in a relatively small space.

. An additional object of my invention is to provide a device of the above indicated character, which is simple in construction and operation, and one which can be manufactured and installed for use on ocean going vessels and at all summer resorts, at a relatively low cost. I

These and like objects of the invention will be better understood as the description proceeds and as is specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and which clearly illustrate the construction and operation of my improved life saving and swimming device.

Figure 1 is a view showing my improved Serial No. 624,665.

swimming and life saving device in elevation.

Figure 2 is a. side elevation of one of the wings.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section through one of the wings at a point adjacent the upper end of same.

igure 4 is a horizontal section through the middle of one of the wings.

Figure 5 is a horizontal section through the lower end of one of the wings.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section of one of the wings, with the upper portion of the rubber casing removed showing the air chambers positioned therein, and

Figure 7 is a plan view of the cross supporting rods.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like characters will be used to designate like parts in the different views.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates a pair of wings, which are adapted to be positioned on each side of the user of same. Each of the wings 1 are constructed of any suitable water-proof material, and are provided as at 2 with an opening to permit access to the interior of the wings, said openings adapted to'be closed by lacing 3 or any other suitable fastening means. Positioned within each of the wings are a pair of air chambers, which are indicated by the numeral 4. Each of the air chambers 4 are constructed of any suitable material, and are provided at the open end of the wings 2 with an air valve 5, so that the win s may be inserted within the wings 1 whi e in a deflated condition and then inflated for use when desired.

Each of the wings 1 and the air chambers 4 are so constructed that the pressure of air within the air chambers will be greater at the upper end of the wings 1 than at the lower or open end of same, so that the head of the user of the wings will always be elevated above the surface of the water.

In order to support the wings on of the wearer while in the act of to swim,

the body learning shoulder straps 6 are employed. hen desiring to use my improved wings for the purpose of floating or as a life saving device, a pair of cross arms 7 are used, and the end of each of the cross arms is attached to the ends of the wings as at 8, so that the body of the user of the device rests directly on the center of the cross arms as at 9 and each of the wings 1 are held in an extended position.

In the construction of a life saving device such as mine, I have endeavored to provide a device of the character indicated, wherein the wings are painted in various colors and when strapped to the body of the wearer may give the impression of a large butterfly. As another means of making the device an attractive article for sale, I have painted various names of cities, States, and prominent menon the wings, so that visitors to large summer resorts will purchase one of the life savers not only for the pleasure to I be received from same, but to also indicate to the rest of the bathers the city or town from which each particular bather is from.

In view of the foregoing description of my invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it is thought that any further explanation as to the construction and operation of the device is unnecessar While I have shown and described the preferred form of my invention, I realize that various'minor changes may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed, and therefore, I do not wish to limit myself to the exact details of construction shown, nor to the combination and arrangement of parts.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a device of the character described,

each of said wings, straps connecting said Wings and adapted to-extend over the shoulders of a swimmer for supporting said wings in an operative position, and cross arms adapted to be secured at each end to said wings "for holding the latter on opposite sides of the body of the wearer when using the device as a life saving means.

3. In a device of the character described, comprising a pair of wings, a pair of separate independent air chambers provided for each of said wings, straps connecting said wings and adapted to extend over the shoulders of the wearer for supporting said wings, a belt strap connecting said wings and cooperating with the shoulder straps for holding the wings in an operative position, and said wings being painted various colors andshaped to represent a butterfly and having advertising matter printed on each of the wings.

In testimony whereof, I have aflixed my signature in the presence of'two witnesses.

CHARLES B. GREEN.

' Witnesses:

M. EISENBERG, W. C. TITGOMB. 

